KUALA LUMPUR — The fatal bus crash last month that killed 15 UPSI students was primarily caused by the driver’s failure to control speed on a downhill bend, the Transport Ministry’s task force report revealed today.

The 75-page preliminary report also highlighted deep “systemic failures” in safety oversight, citing poor driver selection, lack of monitoring, illegal licence practices, and weak enforcement. Both drivers had long traffic offence records, while the operator ignored required safety checks under ICOP–Safety guidelines.

Other factors included substandard road design, inadequate signage, non-compliant guardrails, lack of seat belts, and ineffective inter-agency coordination. Although the driver blamed brake failure, no conclusive technical fault was found, with overheating likely due to misuse.

Recommendations include stricter enforcement on illegal licensing, mandatory vehicle markings, GPS-based monitoring, upgraded road barriers, improved signage, and setting up an independent transport safety board.

The June 9 crash on the Gerik-Jeli Highway involved 48 passengers; 13 died at the scene and two later in hospital. Surviving students plan to sue the driver and bus company.

The full report was tabled at Cabinet and published in the interest of transparency.